Game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus comprises a playing surface in which a plurality of different playing space types are arranged on a grid. The playing space type determining the number of spaces a playing piece may progress from that square in a subsequent move.

The present invention relates to a game apparatus, for example, a boardgame apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many games, for example games of strategy, such as for example, Chessand Draughts are played on a playing surface comprising a grid.

In a game, for example, Chess or Draughts, playing pieces move about theplaying surface in accordance with a set of rules. The type of theplaying piece determines the type of move the playing piece can make onthe playing surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a playing surface whichwill enable a novel game of strategy to be played thereon.

This aim has been met by the provision of a playing surface consistingof a plurality of different playing space types wherein each playingspace type determines the type of move a playing piece may make fromthat space in a subsequent move.

For example, the type of move may be limited to the number of spaces thepiece may progress and/or the direction of travel.

According to the present invention there is provided a game apparatuscomprising a playing surface consisting of a plurality of differentplaying space types wherein each playing space type determines the typeof move a playing piece may make from that space in a subsequent move.

Preferably the playing space type determines the number of spaces aplaying piece may progress and/or the direction of travel.

Preferably, the playing spaces are arranged on a grid which morepreferably still comprises the same number of ranks and files.

More preferably still the playing surface comprises an odd number ofranks and files such that the playing surface has a single centralplaying space.

More preferably still the preferred playing surface will comprise eightyone playing spaces arranged in a grid of nine ranks and nine files.

Preferably the playing surface will have a plurality, i.e. at least two,of differently differentiated playing spaces, each differentlydifferentiated playing space determining a different type of move aplaying piece positioned thereon can make.

Preferably, there are three differently differentiated playing spaces.

More preferably still, the differently differentiated playing spacesdetermine the number of spaces a playing piece positioned on the playingspace can move.

Thus, for example, where the playing surface has three differentlydifferentiated playing spaces these would determine three different movetypes, such as for example a one space move, a two space move and athree space move. The move may, for example, be a vertical, horizontalor a diagonal move.

In the case of a playing surface comprising a nine by nine grid andhaving three different types of playing spaces, there are preferably;

a) 25 playing spaces denoting a first type of move, for example, a threespace move;

b) 32 playing spaces denoting a second type of move, for example, a twospace move; and

c) 24 playing spaces denoting a third type of move, for example, a onespace move.

These three differently differentiated playing spaces are preferablyarranged about the playing surface in an ordered manner as follows:

Assuming the left hand square of a nine by nine arid is denoted Al andthe ranks are numbered 1 to 9 and the files A to I, the playing spacesor squares are denoted as follows:

Spaces denoting a first type of move:

A1, A3, A5, A7, A9,

C1, C4, C6, C9,

D3, D7,

E1, E5, E9,

F3, F7,

G1, G4, G6, G9,

I1, I3, I5, I7, I9,

Spaces denoting a second type of move:

A2, A4, A6, A8,

B1, B3, B5, B7, B9,

C2, C8,

D1, D5, D9,

E2, E4, E6, E8,

F1, F5, F9,

G2, G8,

H1, H3, H5, H7, H9,

I2, I4, I6, I8,

Spaces denoting a third type of move:

B2, B4, B6, B8,

C3, C5, C7,

D2, D4, D6, D8,

E3, E7,

F2, F4, F6, F8,

G3, G5, G7,

H2, H4, H6, H8,

As well as the playing surface, a game apparatus may have a plurality ofplaying pieces.

For a playing surface comprising a nine by nine grid, it is preferredthat there are two sets of playing pieces (one for each player), eachset comprising ten playing pieces. Each set of pieces is a differentcolor and comprises five first or “higher” pieces and five second or“lower” pieces, the higher pieces being different, e.g. larger in size,than the lower pieces.

Of course it would be possible to produce a larger playing surface, forexample one of thirteen ranks by thirteen files for four players.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described by way of example only, withreference to the following figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates in plan view a preferred embodiment of a playingsurface according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates the playing surface of FIG. 1, with playing piecespositioned thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred playing surface 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a gridcomprising nine ranks 12, (numbered rank 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9) and ninefiles 14 (lettered A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H and I).

The grid comprises three differently differentiated playing space types16, 18 and 20.

There are twenty five type 16 spaces, which are preferably shaded orcoloured dark, for example black, and are positioned on playing spaces:

A1, A3, A5, A7, A9,

C1, C4, C6, C9,

D3, D7,

E1, E5, E9,

F3, F7,

G1, G4, G6, G9,

I1, I3, I5, I7, I9.

These spaces denote a first type move of three spaces (horizontally,vertically or diagonally)

There are thirty two type 18 spaces, which are preferably shaded orcoloured with a mid-shade or colour, for example grey, and arepositioned on playing spaces:

A2, A4, A6, A8,

B1, B3, B5, 87, B9,

C2, C8,

D1, D5, D9,

E2, E4, E6, E8,

F1, F5, F9,

G2, G8,

H1, H3, H5, H7, H9,

I2, I4, I6, I8.

These spaces denote a second type move of two spaces (horizontally,vertically or diagonally)

There are twenty four type 20 spaces, which are preferably shaded orcoloured light, for example white, and are positioned on playing spaces:

B2, B4, B6, B8,

C3, C5, C7,

D2, D4, D6, D8,

E3, E7,

F2, F4, F6, F8,

G3, G5, G7,

H2, H4, H6, H8.

These spaces denote a third type move of one space (horizontally,vertically or diagonally)

As well as a playing surface, a board game apparatus additionallycomprises two sets, 22, 22′ of playing pieces, comprising five first or“higher” playing pieces 24,24′ and five second or “lower” playing pieces26,26′. In the preferred embodiment the “higher” playing pieces 24,24′are larger variations of the identically shaped “lower” playing pieces26,26′. Alternatively the higher and lower playing pieces can differ insome other desired way.

The layout of the playing surface enables a game of strategy accordingto the following method to be played.

The playing pieces 24, 24′, 26, 26′ are set up in diagonally opposingcorners of the playing surface as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Thus the five lower pieces 26′ of one set 22′ are placed on playingspaces A1, A4, B3, C2 and D1 and the five higher pieces 24′ placed onplaying spaces A2, A3, B1, B2 and C1.

The five lower pieces 26 of the other set 22 are placed on playingspaces I9, I6, H7, G8 and F9 and the five higher pieces 24 placed onplaying spaces I8, I7, H9, H8 and G9.

Since the playing surface is symmetrical, it would however be possibleto set the apparatus up from the corner A9 and I1.

One game of strategy, of a type played on the playing surface of theinvention illustrated in the embodiment described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2 could be played as follows:

One piece is moved per turn. Players take alternate turns. All pieceshave the same power of movement and capture—the position of a piece onthe playing area dictates how far it can move, as follows:

A piece on a white square can move to any adjoining square.

A piece on a grey square can move two squares in a straight line,horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

A piece on a black square can move three squares in a straight line,horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

A piece must make its full move, for example a piece on a black squarecan never move only two squares, it must move three. When the piece hasbeen moved, the colour of the square it lands on will dictate how far itcan move from that square in a subsequent turn.

Any piece in movement may jump over any other piece in its path withoutaffecting the other piece. Two pieces must never occupy the same square.

Any playing piece may capture any other playing piece. Moving a playingpiece onto a square occupied by an opponent's piece captures that piece.Captured pieces are removed from the playing area and play no furtherpart in the game.

A game is won by capturing any four of your opponent's higher pieces.

Whilst the playing surface of the present invention has been illustratedwith reference to a game being played between two people on a playingsurface comprising eighty-one squares with two sets of playing pieces inthe form of obelisks, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art anumber of game forms can be played on a playing surface embodying theprinciple of the invention.

The playing surface may be produced on a board, games table orelectronic screen by means of a computer programme.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game apparatus comprising a playing surfacecomprising: grid of playing spaces consisting of an odd number of ranksand files of playing spaces, each of said playing spaces divided into aplurality of different playing space types, each playing space typehaving a distinguishing indicium corresponding to the number of playingspaces a playing piece may move, wherein a first type of playing spacehaving a first indicium requiring a playing piece landing thereon tomove only one space in a subsequent turn, a second type of playing spacehaving a second indicium requiring a playing piece landing thereon tomove exactly two spaces in a subsequent turn, and a third type ofplaying space having a third indicium requiring a playing piece landingthereon to move exactly three spaces in a subsequent turn.
 2. A gameapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the grid comprises nine ranksand nine files.
 3. A game apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein thereare: 25 playing spaces denoting a first type of move; 32 playing spacesdenoting a second type of move; and 24 playing spaces denoting a thirdtype of move.
 4. A game apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein theplaying spaces are arranged as follows: spaces denoting a first type ofmove: A1, A3, A5, A7, A9, C1, C4, C6, C9, D3, D7, E1, E5, E9, F3, F7,G1, G4, G6, G9, I1, I3, I5, I7, I9 spaces denoting a second type ofmove: A2, A4, A6, A8, B1, B3, B5, B7, B9, C2, C8, D1, D5, D9, E2, E4,E6, E8, F1, F5, F9, G2, G8, H1, H3, H5, H7, H9, I2, I4, I6, I8, spacesdenoting a third type of move: B2, B4, B6, B8, C3, C5, C7, D2, D4, D6,D8, E3, E7, F2, F4, F6, F8, G3, G5, G7, H2, H4, H6, H8.
 5. A gameapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are at least three playingspace types.
 6. A game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which furthercomprises playing pieces.
 7. A game apparatus as claimed in claim 6wherein there are two sets of ten playing pieces.
 8. A game apparatus asclaimed in claim 7 wherein each set of ten playing pieces comprises fivefirst pieces and five second pieces.
 9. A game apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 in which the playing surface is in the form of a board.
 10. Agame apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the playing surface isdisplayed electronically.
 11. A game apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein the playing surface is an integral part of a game table.